Elijah Minnelli began 2025 with the reissue of his coveted, sought-after debut single, Bebe Durimendo Cumbia. He closed with a live performance at Tom Dubwise and Richard Fearless’ HOLY, showcasing his LP, Clams As A Main Meal. An album which has topped 4 of Ban Ban Ton Ton’s end-of-year lists. Along the way Mr. Minnelli remixed the legendary Lee Perry, and had his own track versioned by the mighty Mark Stewart and Adrian Sherwood. In addition Elijah revisited his back catalogue, covering highlights with a full Bavarian band, under the alias of The Alien Dub Orchestra. 

Here in keeping with his characteristic sound, he shares a few of his favourites released over the last 12 months. Blurring the boundaries of folk, roots and dub. 

Words and music by Elijah Minnelli of Breadminster County Council.

Tóke & Gavsborg / I’m So Happy to See the Clouds

This one from the mighty Gavsborg rattles around in my brain constantly. A classy track with a driving 4/4 that feels futuristic, elegant, catchy and thoughtful.

Dagmar Zúñiga / In Filth Your Mystery Is Kingdom / Far Smile Peasant in Yellow Music

Thrust upon me by a YouTube algorithm, like the good old days of doom scrolling, when discovery, instead of addiction, seemed to be more the thing. This album is beautiful, sparse, melancholic Tascam self-recorded in space and wonder. It sometimes dips into strange, chaotic noise experiments, which perfectly contrast the earnest songwriting. A complete world I’m regularly happy to visit.

DJ Ojo / Total Internal Reflection

DJ Ojo steaming out of the debut album shelves with a perfectly balanced, thoughtful take on the dub techno realm that adds ideas and shape to the genre rather than treading the same ground.

Sister Irene O’Connor / Fire of God’s Love

It’s a reissue but I think a lot of people only got turned onto it this year. Australian nun doing a Space Lady style Sleng Teng in heaven thing. You can’t argue with this kind of glory. Praise be to the almighty with Sister Irene as a welcome conduit.

Holy Tongue / Ambulance

A hot couple of numbers on everyone’s favourite format. Consistently great, Holy Tongue get down to it raw and easy on this wicked 7″ on Al Wootton’s excellent label TRULE. Forward thinking dubwise for a backward moving world.

Lisa O’Neill / The Wind Doesn’t Blow This Far Right

Striking EP by the fantastic Lisa O’Neill. A touching collection of songs that are contemporary in theme but timeless in their tone and voice. We need songwriters doing this if we want those smug bastards in the future to take us seriously. I hope Irish contemporary music continues in its ascent in the coming year.

Sheriff Lindo and the Hammer / Ten Dubs That Shook the World

Another reissue, but new to me. Super solid dub album, ticks all my boxes. Pleasantly chaotic approach to the mixing desk. A lawless meditation for all occasions.